2016 Chevrolet Sonic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 23%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic, 23% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,500 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2016 chevy Sonic lt in january of 2020. It has only has 30,000 miles on it and has been well maintained. Initially, I believed that the computer was just slow. In march, 2020 I noticed that when I would turn the car on the radio/computer would sometimes take several minutes to boot up. Then once booted, the back-up camera lines would not show up. Only occasionally would the guiding lines appear on the screen. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343257, filed 2020-08, 30,008 miles“As I was driving on a street, possibly two minutes after departing my home, is when I'd realized the air bag indicator light was illuminated. Everytime for the next three days, the warning light would illuminate as soon as the car turned on. It finally shut off after I went out to shop. It was illuminated on my way to the shops. I turned the car off, shopped and when I turned it back on, the light did not illuminate and has not since then. Now, it has been around two weeks since it turned off.”
NHTSA complaint #11163479, filed 2018-12, 56,000 miles“My car was bought in oct of 2015. It did not come with a rear camera back up system, however the center display (radio & controls panel) started displaying an error message about this back up system. At the same time the phone & radio controls located on the steering wheel also stopped working. When blue toothing a phone (have tried with more than one type) it often disconnects & when it does connect, it doesn't fully connect. Both the steering wheel control & blue tooth problems started at the time the rear back up error began showing up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218782, filed 2019-06, 65,000 miles“My car lock and unlocks when I did not hit any buttons. The remote start does not work sometimes. The battery loses connection from time to time with a brand new battery. I own 2 of these cars and the same exact thing is happening. There needs to be a recall on this”
NHTSA complaint #11541262, filed 2023-08“The heat doesnt work. Keeps blowing out cool air. This past summer the AC wouldn't work. When I took it to the dealership they said it was an electrical issue but they fixed it. I believe the two issues are related.”
NHTSA complaint #11394748, filed 2021-02Related recalls
- 16V422000Jun 10, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax, and 2013-2015 Spark vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media…Covers: Chevrolet Sonic 2015–2016, Spark 2013–2015, Trax 2015–2016
- 16V257000Apr 28, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Chevrolet Sonic and Trax vehicles and 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark vehicles equipped with a…Covers: Chevrolet Sonic 2013–2016, Trax 2013–2016, Spark 2013–2015
Related service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 60% |
| 2019 | 1 | 13% |
| 2018 | 6 | 40% |
| 2017 | 5 | 14% |
| 2016 | 11 | 23% |
| 2015 | 34 | 30% |
| 2014 | 49 | 33% |
| 2013 | 56 | 26% |
| 2012 | 59 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
13 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology